History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 43

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internship collaboration between the CRC and the Gainesville Area Chamber of
Commerce, was launched the same year to highlight the local opportunities for
full-time and internship employment. The B.R.I.D.G.E. effort was successful with
a consistent high level of participation from both students and employers.
Le a d i n g t h e Pac k
Focus on adjusting key programs; developing new partnerships; and investing in
technology were key to departmental goals near the end of the decade. By 2009,
both online and in-person career planning appointments were operationalized
and successful, and the center was intentional in recruiting new employers to
assist students in finding employment during the economic downturn. The
efforts for delivering innovative and quality programming were not overlooked.
The Princeton Review recognized the Career Resource Center as #1 in the
“Best Career Services” category for 2010 and again in 2012. The prestigious
designation led to heightened awareness of the CRC and how the Center served
its students and alumni in preparing them for their careers. Several media
outlets, such as the Today Show and CNBC, recognized the CRC as a top career
center in the country.
In April 2011, Dr. Wallace retired as the Center’s director. As director, he helped
the Center evolve from an organization of individual teams to a cohesive group
with mutual overall goals and was key in gaining the Center both national and
international exposure.
I n n o vat i o n a n d C h a n g e
Dr. Heather White, Associate Director for Career Networks, served as Interim
Director upon Dr. Wallace’s retirement. She was appointed permanently as the
third Director of the Career Resource Center in December 2011. Dr. White is one
of 14 career services professionals under Dr. Wallace’s tenure that were hired as
career center directors nationwide.
The 2010 decade at the CRC brought innovation and change. Staff initiated
several initiatives to reflect the change in career services and the needs of the
millennial student. A shift to a career coaching model was established, and Dr.
White instituted the 80/20 model where both the Employer Relations (formerly
Career Networks) and Career Development teams, focused 80% of the time
on their respective focus areas and 20% of the time on the other group. This

Depa rtment histor ies : C ar eer Resour ce Center